Academy Of Mates novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

My eyes drift towards the clock and gasp. “I’m late!”

I mutter a goodbye, waving at her before I leave the room and head for dinner. The hallway outside my room is quite a scene, there were shouts coming from all directions and so many people running. It was a beautiful chaos as helpers were coming in from left and right, hurrying as fast as they could while carrying colorful dresses and other things.

Girls in dresses of every color and men in various hues of black suits come in waves. The ones that were ready were chattering in excitement as we all walked down the staircase.

Again I felt those amber eyes on me again, the one from the room above mine, watching my every move, but when I looked back each time, there was nothing.

I shake the feeling off and continue my descent.

I can’t be distracted.

There is too much on the line to allow myself to dwell on something likely imaginary.

Just as I made it to the doors leading to the gardens, I saw him.

“Beta,” I bow low to keep things respectable and professional, hoping to set boundaries.

Andrew smiled warmly. It looked as though he had been expecting me. “Vareesa, you look absolutely gorgeous.”

“I have you to thank for that.” I felt very conscious of the stares we were getting. The judgement in their eyes was heavy as they whispered. I can tell they didn’t even realize who I was until Andrew called me.

“No thanks needed.” He took my hand, placing it on his arm. “I like to spoil you.”

I have a feeling he didn’t just like to spoil me. In fact, I think he spoils many women. He was the type of man that likes to taste his merchandise.

“I’ve reserved seats for us. Let’s go find them.” He pulls me forward but my feet stay in place.

But what about Benedict?

Benedict said he was coming and to save him a seat. What will he say if he finds me with Andrew?

“What’s wrong?” Andrew asks, his hand on my arm tightening.

“I…” I trailed off, grasping for words. “I promised to sit with my pack members.”

He laughs, charming as always but forced. I could see the strain in the corner of his

Chapter 18

eyes. “I’m sure they would want you to be with me tonight.”

“But,” I start to pull away, but he clamps down on my arm.

“Vareesa, come on.” Andrew doesn’t let me say another word and yanks me towards the gardens. “Trust me. We’re going to have a good time. Your pack members will know where you are and they’ll respect that.”

He didn’t have to say it, but I know what he really meant.

‘It’s not every day a Beta shows interest in low quality blood.’

Losing his patience, Andrew nearly had to drag me towards the gardens. I didn’t make it easy for him, as I kept my head down and my feet planted on the ground. There was a second when I thought he might actually carry me, but stopped when I caught sight of the gardens.

Thousands and thousands of twinkling lights fell like stars down the gardens, the tall trees holding a stream of incandescent lights. Countless candles in globe like glasses are hung from above as well, creating a warm atmosphere.

The attendees gather around long tables that are beautifully set using golden plates, glasses, utensils and even golden candelabras. As it was, drinks were already being served in tall flutes, the shimmering liquid inviting.

Everything looked so elegant, so enchanting and so beyond any world I’ve been to. All the attendees were busy drinking and laughing and having the best time. It lifted my spirits a little.

I also noticed how most have already paired up, claiming their future choices. Kelcey was one of them, standing beside a boy. I felt proud of her. If she does choose, I hope it’s her choice.

And that she’ll be happy.

Silently, I prayed that everyone gets good matches by the end of the School of Love.

Suddenly, my eyes find Jeff holding a different girl in his arms. He’s smiling at her, feeding her strawberries while they drink together, the girl grinding on his lap. His eyes met with mine then and they narrowed. He glances at Andrew before smirking.

“That won’t last. You’ll be all alone, but don’t worry, I’ll still choose you.’ He says through the mind link, his hands gripping the girl tighter. ‘It’s just a fling, Vareesa. Everyone will go back to their right place soon.’

I shuddered at the meaning and didn’t bother to respond.

Andrew doesn’t notice my change of mood and continues to drag me towards a table filled with his pack members. They turn to him as he arrives, their heads bowed low. “I want you guys to meet Vareesa.”

No one says hi.

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All of them glare.

Awkward and ready to leave, my eyes desperately scan for someone I was supposed

to be with tonight: Benedict.

But he was nowhere in sight.

None of his pack members were here either.

Andrew has me sit down at a table full of people that gave me the stink eye. I can tell I disgusted them. No amount of make up and a pretty dress can change what I really

And they know this.

I know this.

It’s okay because it’s true.

I was not one of them. I will never be one of them.

Andrew starts talking to the man beside him, leaving me to sit alone and stare at my hands. I think an hour went by and there was still no sign of Benedict.

Some time after that, food is brought to me on a plate by their pack helper. It was filled with food I wasn’t familiar with and it looked very complicated to eat. Some of them were raw and some of them had a thin sheet of gold in them- is that even edible?

When I looked at the table beside us, the attendees there were being offered different food by the organizer’s staff. It looked less complicated and very well cooked. They had chicken in theirs, steak and other things I’ve just learned today.

“Can I have that?” I quietly asked the pack helper who passed.

The helper’s eyes widened.

Apparently, everyone at the table heard because they burst out laughing, even Andrew.

“We don’t eat those things, Vareesa. That’s peasant food. We brought our own delicacies with our own persona; chef.” He tells me, still laughing. “Have some fresh oysters and caviar, or this delicious white truffle. Have a taste of this foie gras too. It’s a delicacy.”

He sounded like he was speaking in another language and I know if I asked what it was, I would only get laughed at some more.

So I kept quiet, feeling like I was shrinking with every passing second.

And through this, I got the feeling that I was being watched again. It definitely wasn’t Andrew and it wasn’t Jeff because he was drunk and kissing yet another girl. A chill went through me but I kept my head down.

With nothing else to do, I listen to Andrew’s pack and their conversation. At first it was like they’re speaking in another language again, talking about clothes and brands.

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Things I’ve never heard of before. And then they talk about where they’ve travelled.

Traveling to see other packs isn’t frowned upon, but it’s also not normal. Werewolves normally stick to one place where their pack is unless they marry into another pack, but apparently, with their wealth, they can go anywhere. No rules applied when money could bribe or buy people.

I discover new things about other packs, like how the packs near the sea enjoy the summer season all throughout the year or how the pack in the valley has open fields to run around instead of forests and woods.

“Where’s Odette, Beta?” A girl asked loudly, pointedly looking at me with accusing eyes.

“She’s eating with her father. You know how she is. She doesn’t like to mingle with,” Andrew gestures to his back where the other attendees are. “These people.”

“It must be great to have everything,” The girl said jealously.

This girl was just talking about seeing the world- traveling lavishly with no care about the expense, and now she sounds as if she has nothing.

“Everything but a mate.” Another girl spoke up, a sly smile on her face. “Won’t you choose her, Andrew? At least try to? You’re the highest ranking male to attend this year.

To Andrew’s benefit, he looked uncomfortable. “Who knows at this point?”

“But it’s your responsibility.” She presses, glancing at me with a grin that makes me want to punch her. “You’re supposed to mate with her when no one will.”

“I suppose it is.” He says, unable to meet my eyes.

So that’s it.

He will choose Odette and I’m just here to feed his ego. I was just a little plaything that he wanted to show the world… a play thing he could easily have.

It stung.

It did.

Worse, he proved everyone right,

Jeff was right.

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